Drought/Burn Bans/Wildfire/Water Supply

Monthly Change in Drought Monitor Classification

January 6 - Texas had its driest year on record in 2011: According to the National Climatic Data Center, this record was confirmed.The Houston Chronicle, Eric Berger, January 6, 2012.

January 6 - Perry re-issues drought disaster declaration: A year later, the governor renewed his declaration for every county.WTAW Brazos Valley, Chace Murphy, January 6, 2012.

January 7 - Volunteers fighting fires in face of financial woes: Communities support volunteer fire departments but the funds have decreased as an above-average number of wildfires devastated Texas.Killeen Daily Herald, Mason Canales, January 7, 2012.

January 7 - Lawmaker suggests spending hundreds of millions on water plan: Texas is growing and water supplies will be crucial in the next few decades.Austin American Statesman, Farzad Mashhood, January 7, 2012.

January 13 - Colorado snowfall drought lowering local water supply: Texans depends on the melted water for the Rio Grande.KTSM El Paso, January 13, 2012.

January 14 - It's time to restore Houston's natural prairie: Houstonians are called to do their part in planting trees and taking care of the landscape.The Houston Chronicle, Lan Shen, January 14, 2012.

January 18 - Water supply concerns delay drought revisions: San Marcos tries to figure out a plan for future water supplies.The University Star (Texas State), Andrew Osegi, January 18, 2012.

January 18 - Equipment-strapped East Texas volunteer firefighters face uncertain drought and wildfire season: Local communities help out the fire departments with fundraisers.KTRE Lufkin, January 18, 2012.

January 19 - Stage Two of drought plan recommended by Lubbock water board: Water restrictions were imminent during the current drought.KCBD Lubbock, James Clark, January 19, 2012.

January 20 - Boating business during drought: The low lake levels have pushed boaters to stay ashore.KXAN Austin, Doug Shupe, January 20, 2012.

January 24 - City of Midland to get new water source to help with severe drought: They are creating a water system that operates locally.News West 9, Anayeli Ruiz, January 24, 2012.

January 25 - Rain had little effect on lake levels, drought: The significant rainfall certainly helped the landscape, but it only made a small dent in the drought.Austin American Statesman, Katie Glueck, January 25, 2012.

January 26 - Drought threatens water supply in Burnet County communities: City officials explore other options.YNN Austin, Sebastian Robertson, January 26, 2012.

January 27 - Rain brings relief to county, Gonzales loosens water ban: Residents were relieved to have the Stage 2 water restrictions lifted.Gonzales Inquirer, Lynn Adams, January 27, 2012.

January 29 - Group looks at long-term availability of water in Texas: Plans are being put into place for future water supplies.Odessa American, M. Ray Perryman, January 29, 2012.

January 29 - American Red Cross feels the heat as number of fires rise: The number of fires has increased and the workers are pushed to their limit.Corpus Christi Caller Times, Julie Silva, January 29, 2012.

January 30 - Despite the drought, Lake Sam Rayburn generating at 47.1 million dollars a year: The Lake still attracts visitors from all over.KTRE Lufkin, Francesca Washington, January 30, 2012.

January 31 - Dallas to keep drought restrictions despite recent rain: The precipitation was very helpful, but city planners have to live by long-term thinking strategies.KERA Dallas-Ft. Worth, BJ Austin, January 31, 2012.

Agricultural

January 5 - USDA adds Central Texas counties to disaster list: Much of the state is still enduring an extreme drought, and agriculture has suffered huge losses.YNN Austin, Dan Robertson, January 5, 2012.

January 6 - Houston seeks volunteers to help replenish trees: The drought has wiped out dozens of trees and city planners have an agenda for Arbor Day.The Houston Chronicle, Allan Turner, January 6, 2012.

January 26 - Drought draws hogs out of woods and onto area lawns: They have become an enormous nuisance around the state.Jacksonville Daily Progress, Faith Harper, January 26, 2012.

January 28 - Drought raises market for heifers to possible record level: At the Fort Worth Stock Show, the females are being sought for the purposes of rebuilding herds.The Fort WorthStar Telegram, Punch Shaw, January 28, 2012.

January 9 - Rain, snow fall in different parts of Big Country: Precipitation is a welcome sight in North Texas but the La Nina conditions are expected to persist.Abilene Reporter News, Greg Kendall-Ball, January 9, 2012.

January 14 - Snowballs in South Texas?! Sure, if you know where to go: The Winter Carnival and Snow Day provided residents with a wintry delight in Edna.Victoria Advocate, Camille Doty, January 14, 2012.

Other Climate Impacts

January 5 - Future master gardeners ready to dig into new lessons: A group of gardeners fought the drought and warm weather to become masters.Abilene Reporter News, Charles G. Anderson, January 5, 2012.

January 6 - When snow falls in Austin, my family will be ready: A family found the perfect hill for snow-sledding, in a place that rarely sees snow.Austin American Statesman, Todd Gernert, January 6, 2012.

January 7 - Take the plunge with Special Olympics Texas: The Polar Plunge Fundraiser is seeking entries for the event on January 21.The Galveston Daily News, Special Olympics Team, January 7, 2012.

January 8 - Lake levels may be low but enthusiasm is high at Houston Boat Show: Despite the drought, attendees flooded the Reliant Center.CultureMap Houston, Caroline Gallay, January 8, 2012.

January 27 - More than a rain dance: one lawmaker's plan for a thirsty state: The proposal is modeled after similar plans used by Australia, India, and Argentina.State Impact Texas, Mose Buchele, January 27, 2012.

January 28 - New data not so sunny on U.S. natural gas supply: The estimates were drastically lower than the previous report produced by the Energy Information Administration.San Antonio Express News, New York Times, January 28, 2012.

January 29 - Gardening: time to repair storm damaged trees: Snow can naturally break trees, but residents must do the clean-up themselves.Odessa American, Deborah Benge-Frost, January 29, 2012.

January 31 - Rethinking the yard in drought-stricken regions: New options are explored by homeowners.The Houston Chronicle, Betsy Blaney, January 31, 2012.

January 31 - Wounded Warrior families play in snow: A Winter Wonderland was displayed at Fort Sam Houston for families.KSAT San Antonio, January 31, 2012.